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Go green to save green Six earth-friendly home improvement ideas
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Water wise tips For water-efficient landscaping
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Tips for an eco-friendly meal Don’t overlook the food you eat when it comes to going green
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So you want to go solar? Things to consider when installing solar power at home
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Greywater recycling Reduce water bills and preserve the environment
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Watch your step Understanding your carbon footprint
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New car vs. used car What’s the green option?
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Backyard bounty
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Green travel tips Make your summer getaway a green one
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Naturally clean With the power of vinegar
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Bring your own bag
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Composting at home
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Give your home a breath of fresh air With these energy efficient tips
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Natural remedies for bug bites
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Go green to save green Six earth-friendly home improvement ideas
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rom cleaning out the garage to upgrading your floors and windows, it often seems like home improvement projects will never end. While you may be dedicated to making your home a better place, it’s also important to consider how it affects your carbon footprint. Are you doing everything you can to make your home earth friendly? Not only could your home benefit from energy-saving changes, but you can also lower your utility bills and live green without sacrificing your style. While Earth Day falls in the month of April, it’s not the only time to commit to environmental stewardship. Consider some of these ideas to be both earth friendly and cost effective year round:
Choose the right materials Start the planning stage of your project by selecting materials with low impact on the environment. For example, reclaimed wood is durable, versatile and renewable, and can add beau-
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ty and timelessness to your home. Since it is recycled, your reclaimed wood project doesn’t involve chopping down or harming any new trees. Other eco-friendly alternatives include linoleum instead of vinyl, low or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, bamboo and cork.
Rent your project tools Before you go out and buy all the tools and equipment you need for each home improvement project, do a little research to find out what you can rent. Not only does this save you money, but it also limits energy consumption, pollution and waste associated with manufacturing, storing and maintaining new equipment. You can easily find a rental company on www.rentalhq.com to provide a variety of products such as aerators, augers, jackhammers, pressure washers, chainsaws and more. article continues on page 4 >>
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Hire savvy professionals If you’re undergoing a serious remodel, you’ll most likely be working with a contractor, designer or other professional to review your plans and turn them into reality. Make sure you not only hire the right people, but make your goal of going green loud and clear. Ask to see examples of their work and have them explain what tactics they use to be environmentally friendly.
Use energy efficient equipment If possible, make sure the appliances, tools and equipment in your home have the Energy Star label. This means that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) qualifies that product as energy efficient. The Energy Star label is becoming more widely recognized as more consumers bring these types of appliances - like ovens, stoves and HVAC systems - into their home for both cost and energy savings.
Try eco-friendly lighting A lighting upgrade is essential for an earth-friendly home. While LED and CFL lightbulbs tend to cost more upfront, they use significantly less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, so you’ll save more in the long run.
Invest in water-saving features Fixtures like low flow faucets, toilets and showerheads are just a few of the ways you can conserve water in your home and reduce the amount of your water bills. Additionally, there are plenty of washing machine and dishwasher options that give you the same level of cleaning power while saving both water and energy. Going green doesn’t have to be difficult or costly. Use these tips to save money each month and impact the world around you in a positive way.
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or the average Coachella Valley family, 70 to 80 percent of the water is used outside the home. Using conservation techniques associated with landscaping is one of the most significant steps you can take to reduce water use. The Coachella Valley Water District supports a smarter, more efficient use of water regardless of your landscape type. Water wise landscaping techniques that save water include: adding decorative rock borders between the curb and grass; expanding patios or walking paths; replacing at least a portion of a grass with beautiful, water-efficient plants and trees. The district also encourages customers let their grass go golden, by only watering occasionally, to save water during California’s multi-year drought. If you go golden, continue to water plants and trees. Here are some more water wise tips to consider. • Convert grass to desert-friendly plants • Use drip irrigation instead of spray nozzles for plants and trees • Water less frequently, but longer and close to plant root zones Visit www.cvwd.org for more information about water conservation and CVWD rebate programs.
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Tips for an eco-friendly meal Don’t overlook the foods you eat when it comes to going green
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f you’re passionate about cooking but concerned about the environment, here are a few things you can do to create a delicious, eco-friendly meal.
Eat seasonal
This is the cardinal rule of many great food cultures. Creating a meal with ingredients that are in season in your region will produce an eco-friendly plate. While it may be tempting to pick and choose from exotic ingredients grown all over the world, your seasonally based dishes will be fresher and they’ll reduce the environmental impact of cross-country and international shipping. It’s also an exciting opportunity to experiment with seasonal bounty that you might normally overlook.
Buy local
When you use locally grown ingredients you’re supporting the agriculture and farmers, as well as the economy, of your community. You’re also reducing the amount of fossil fuels that are generated by transporting nonlocal ingredients from the food source to your supermarket. And if that’s not compelling enough, there’s also an obvious benefit to your meal: Locally made meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables will truly taste fresh — because they are.
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Use organic ingredients
Organic foods are grown naturally, without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetic modification, or ionizing radiation. Additionally, organic farming is more environmentally sustainable; it reduces pollution and conserves water and soil. While there is no conclusive evidence that organic foods are more nutritious or safer than their conventionally grown counterparts, many people (including a growing number of gourmet chefs) prefer organic because they believe there is a palatable difference in taste.
Choose free-range, hormone-free and organic animal products
When purchasing meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy, look for food raised in an environment that supports the ethical treatment of animals, such as farms where animals are allowed outdoors and are nourished with balanced diets. Organic meats, dairy, and eggs are made from animals that are pasture-fed or given organic feed, and have not been treated with antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic farmers practice rotational grazing and other preventive measures to help minimize disease in their animals. Many people find the quality and taste of free-range and hormone-free products to be superior.
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Be selective about seafood
Avoid the extra packaging
Our finned friends are a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals; they’re low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. Salmon and herring, in particular, are high in omega-3 fatty acids. However, not all fish are safe to eat these days. Some, like sharks and swordfish, are contaminated with high levels of mercury and other chemical pollutants. And that’s not the only problem fish are facing. Destructive fishing practices and poorly managed fisheries are hurting the fish population and the environment. For an eco-friendly feast of fish, be selective about what you buy. Avoid farmed fish and shellfish that are fed with endangered wild fish. Choose locally caught and raised fish. And check out seafood watch lists, like the one posted by the Monterey Bay Aquarium to ensure that you’re making the most responsible decisions about the fish you serve.
Whenever possible, choose minimally packaged food products, buy in bulk, bring your own containers, or look for products that are packaged with environmentally sensitive materials, such as recycled paper or bio-based plastic. You don’t need all that petroleum-based plastic or Styrofoam, anyway. Additionally, make an effort to bring your own totes to the market, instead of bringing home your goods in a bunch of flimsy, ecologically unfriendly plastic bags. Many organizations are now offering/selling reusable bags. Finally, be sure to reuse or recycle any packaging you do bring home with you.
Go vegetarian — or even “vegan” Whether you’re a true herbivore or you just want to reduce the amount of animal and fish products in your daily diet, there are many ways to prepare savory and satisfying veggiebased meals. If you need some inspiration, check out Mollie Katzen’s classic Moosewood Cookbook series Deborah Madison’s Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone, or Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook by vegan chefs Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero.
Look for “Fair Trade” on the label When preparing excellent, eco-friendly meals, it’s not just the ingredients you should be considering; it’s also the means by which your ingredients were acquired. When you purchase from a fair-trade organization, you’re participating in a business model that promises a fair price to the farmer, promotes sustainable farming practices, and contributes to positive change in small, often rural and underprivileged communities. Look for fair-trade labeling on products and shop at local green markets and farm stands — these habits enable you to support and deal directly with the people growing your food.
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Grow your own ingredients One of the most ecologically conscious things you can do to make a great meal is prepare it with food that you grew yourself. If you think you can cultivate a green thumb, plant a small vegetable garden and a few fruit trees in your yard or join a local community garden. Even sprouting an herb garden on your windowsill will make a difference, plus everyone in your household will appreciate the choice in fresh seasonings.
Compost When preparing your eco-friendly meal, be sure to conserve your fruit and vegetable skins, leftover pulp, and other parts, as well as any eggshells, coffee grounds, or loose tea leaves for composting. The idea of collecting rotting food might seem unsavory at first, but consider this fact: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has calculated that 24 percent of America’s solid waste stream is made up of organic matter. Composting allows this waste to be reused in its new form — natural fertilizer — to fortify a lawn or garden! How can you compost at home? Check out the EPA’s guide at www.epa.gov/ recycle/composting-home. If you have a yard, you can create or buy your own large composting bin. Check out www.blueplanetsmart.com (8.7 cubic feet, or about the size of a large stability ball). Or, if you live in an apartment with no access to outdoor space, consider getting yourself an indoor composter like the happy farmer kitchen composter.
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So you want to go solar? Things to consider when installing solar power at home
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id you know that enough solar energy strikes the Earth each day to power the world’s total energy use? That’s a lot of energy! So it makes sense that you’d be interested in going solar, but is solar the best renewable resource for your home?
and check to see how many years of experience the company has. If you are interested in an off-grid system, be sure company representatives have previously installed a stand-alone system. (The same is true for on-grid systems as well.)
If you are considering a solar electric system, you need to first answer these questions:
When installing a solar electric system, you’ll have to figure out how big the system needs to be to meet your electricity needs. First, make sure you are already being as energy-efficient as possible; this means less energy needs to be generated and lower monthly bills! Next, think about how much energy you need your PV system to produce. The more energy you need, the larger your system could be.
• Does my home have clear and unobstructed access to sunlight for most or all of the day, throughout the year? • Do I have a large enough roof or area to accommodate the system I need?
Size matters
• Does my community have any covenants in place that prohibit solar panels?
PV systems rated between one and five kilowatts are generally sufficient to meet the needs of most home and small business owners.
• Is it worth the investment?
Orientation and tilt matter
If you have enough sunlight, space, and money to invest in a solar electric system, and if there are no legal issues, you are ready to go. But before you go off and buy just any system, consider these three things:
The right contractor matters Your solar electric system or Photovoltaic (PV) system needs to be sized, sited, installed, and maintained correctly to achieve optimal performance. It is best to have a professional solar contractor install your system. Make sure your contractor is properly licensed or certified to work with PV systems,
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PV modules need to be oriented to gather the maximum amount of daily and seasonal sunlight. Typically in the northern hemisphere, this means the optimal placement is true south. However, you can face your PV modules up to 45 degrees east or west of true south without significantly decreasing performance. If you are planning to mount your modules on the roof, consider roof angle and condition, landscape features that could inhibit direct sunlight, and local weather conditions that may affect electricity production. Article provided by www.energy.gov.
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Greywater recycling Reduce water bills and preserve the environment
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ater conservation isn’t just for Californians and others who live in dry climates. Although the Golden State’s water woes grabbed headlines last summer, it’s not the only state potentially facing water shortages. Nor is it the only one where conservation-minded homeowners are turning to greywater recycling to reduce water bills and preserve the environment. Greywater - also called gray water - is all the water that goes down the drain from bathroom sinks, showers, tubs and washing machines. While you wouldn’t want to drink it because it contains traces of dirt, hair and household cleaning products, greywater is safe to use for outdoor irrigation. By rerouting greywater outdoors, you can keep your lawn green and your vegetables growing without increasing your water bill. “We’re seeing increasing demand for products that facilitate greywater recycling,” says Chris Peterson with Saniflo. The company specializes in above-floor plumbing, including greywater pumping systems and macerating toilet systems for residential and light-commercial applications. “Homeowners are
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realizing that recycling greywater is an effective way to lower their water bills, meet outdoor water needs and do something good for the environment.” What’s more, municipalities and counties in California are blazing trails by rewarding homeowners and businesses that recycle greywater. Many are offering rebates for property owners who use greywater systems to irrigate their landscapes. While California’s drought conditions have been prolonged and extreme, the state is not alone in being concerned about water consumption. A 2014 study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found 40 out of 50 state water managers expect shortages in at least part of their states within the next 10 years. States have begun taking a number of steps to improve how they manage water, the GAO said, including enacting conservation measures and creating drought preparedness plans.
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“Recycled water can satisfy most water demands, as long as it is adequately treated to ensure water quality appropriate for the use.” << article continues from page 9 “Homeowners who begin recycling greywater now could be well ahead of the curve if and when their states begin requiring water conservation measures,” Peterson says. “Meanwhile, they’ll decrease their water and sewer costs by irrigating with recycled water, rather than fresh.” Greywater recycling systems can be installed in homes under construction or existing homes undergoing renovation. In fact, says Peterson, many Saniflo customers who add greywater systems to their homes do so as part of a kitchen or bathroom renovation. “The compact size of our Saniswift pump makes it easy to tuck away inside a cabinet for a kitchen or bathroom sink, a clothes or dishwasher, shower, laundry or bar sink. Like all Saniflo products, you don’t have to open the floor or break concrete to plumb the Saniswift, so it can go virtually anywhere.” If you’re interested in greywater recycling for your home, Peterson offers some basic information: • Although some areas may allow you to recycle water from kitchen sinks, greywater is typically considered the water that comes from showers, bathroom sinks, dishwashers and clothes washers. Water from toilets is not greywater. • Experts estimate about 40 to 50 percent of the waste water generated by the typical American home qualifies as greywater and could be recycled. • Not all greywater is the same. The water from bathtubs, showers and bathroom sinks is relatively cleaner than the water
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from kitchen sinks, clothes washers and dishwashers, which may contain food scraps and cleaning products. It’s important to choose a greywater filter and pump system that’s made to handle the type of greywater produced by the utility you’re connecting it to. • In addition to lowering your water and sewer bill when you install a greywater recycling system, you may be eligible for a rebate. Check with your local water utility to see if it offers a rebate in your area. For more information about water recycling, including greywater recycling, visit the EPA’s water recycling web page (www3. epa.gov/region9/water/recycling/). To learn more about greywater pumping systems for the home, including kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms, visit www.saniflo.com.
What is the future of water recycling?
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ater recycling has proven to be effective and successful in creating a new and reliable water supply without compromising public health. Nonpotable reuse is a widely accepted practice that will continue to grow. However, in many parts of the United States, the uses of recycled water are expanding in order to accommodate the needs of the environment and growing water supply demands. Advances in wastewater treatment technology and health studies of indirect potable reuse have led many to pre-
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As water energy demands and environmental needs grow, water recycling will play a greater role in our overall water supply. By working together to overcome obstacles, water recycling, along with water conservation and efficiency, can help us to sustainably manage our vital water resources. Communities and businesses are working together to meet water resource needs locally in ways that expand resources, support the environment, and strengthen the economy. For example, the City of Tucson, Arizona, adopted an ordinance in 2008 requiring that:
dict that planned indirect potable reuse will soon become more common. Recycling waste and greywater requires far less energy than treating salt water using a desalination system. While water recycling is a sustainable approach and can be costeffective in the long term, the treatment of wastewater for reuse and the installation of distribution systems at centralized facilities can be initially expensive compared to such water supply alternatives as imported water, ground water, or the use of gray water onsite from homes. Institutional barriers, as well as varying agency priorities and public misperception, can make it difficult to implement water recycling projects. Finally, early in the planning process, agencies must reach out to the public to address any concerns and to keep the public informed and involved in the planning process.
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All new single family and duplex residential dwelling units shall include either a separate multiple pipe outlet or a diverter valve, and outside â&#x20AC;&#x153;stub-outâ&#x20AC;? installation on clothes washing machine hook-ups, to allow separate discharge of greywater for direct irrigation. All new single family residential dwelling units shall include a building drain or drains for lavatories, showers, and bathtubs, segregated from drains for all other plumbing fixtures, and connected a minimum three feet from the limits of the foundation, to allow for future installation of a distributed greywater system.
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hile making visits to national parks or forest preserves, you’ll often be told to “leave nothing but footprints.” This is always a good policy in these types of situations. However, we often forget, or simply do not know that wherever we go, we actually leave two sets of footprints. Your physical footprint is, for the most part, a harmless indentation left behind wherever you step. Your other footprint is what is known as your carbon footprint, essentially the level of greenhouse gases your lifestyle and activity emit into the environment. We’d like to help you understand not only what your carbon footprint is, but also how to measure it and identify some simple ways to reduce it and to save energy.
Your carbon footprint: what is it? By definition, a carbon footprint is “the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, event, product, or person.” This means that if you live a lifestyle that requires the use of a greater amount of energy and fossil fuels that form greenhouse gases through combustion, the larger your impact on the environment and your carbon footprint will be. Often people consider their carbon footprint to be the result of their immediate use of fossil fuels and energy usage, like cooking with natural gas or using petroleum to run their automobile. However, your carbon footprint consists of many activities that can be far less obvious. This may include the fossil fuels used to transport the food that you buy at your local grocery store, or the energy used to dispose of the waste produced in your household. All this comes into account when trying to make an accurate estimate of what impact is left behind by your daily activities and choices.
How to measure your carbon footprint? Perhaps not surprisingly, the U.S. has one of the largest carbon footprints in the world, ranking number two in total emissions (other countries near the top include China number one, India number three, Russia number four and Japan number five) but number one in emissions per capita. Since this much larger
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footprint is made up of many much smaller individual footprints, it is important to understand your contribution and responsibility to the greater whole. Individually, the average American produces 9.44 tons of carbon dioxide on their own each year! Did this surprise you? The link below will help you to calculate the size of the carbon footprint of your household: www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html.
How to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions? Taking small steps to reduce your carbon footprint and saving energy is actually fairly simple. Here is a list of some easy things that you can do to live a more environmentally healthy lifestyle:
Limit consumption of bottled water The production, consumption and disposal of bottled water leaves a rather significant carbon footprint. It requires the combustion of fossil fuels to make the bottle, transport it, and dispose of it if it’s not recycled. In-house filtration systems can reduce your impact and cost for water.
Unplug appliances that are not frequently in use Most of these items have a standby mode that wastes energy even when they’re not in use. Unplugging is the best way to ensure that unnecessary energy is not lost. With a powerstrip, you can even switch off more than one appliance at once.
Use cold water Don’t start taking cold showers. Using colder water to wash clothes that do not require a hot water wash is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. While washers already require a lot of energy to run, it takes even more to heat the water. Using cold water whenever possible can make a big difference and will increase your energy saving.
Recycle and reuse Recycling uses a lot less energy since it is reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that would come out of creating a completely new product.
Upgrade the energy efficiency of your home New energy efficient light bulbs, filters, and appliances could have a massive impact in reducing your carbon footprint. Less energy used means less greenhouse gas emissions. Even just maintaining and taking care of the appliances and products you already own can ensure a smaller footprint without spending a lot of money. You can measure the energy efficiency of your home and your potential energy savings at www.energyresults.com. With easy steps like these, you are on your way to increasing your energy savings and reducing the size of the carbon footprint left behind. We all have a role in trying to shrink the adverse impact we have on the environment, not only as an individual, but also as a member of a household, as a citizen of a country, and as an inhabitant of planet earth.
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uying a new car to reduce your carbon footprint seems logical. But surprisingly, keeping the vehicle already in your garage, or replacing it with a more fuel efficient used car may be a greener choice. That’s because it takes a lot of energy and raw materials to manufacture a new vehicle. “It varies between models, but it is reasonable to estimate building a new $30,000 midsize car will generate greenhouse gases that are the equivalent of 14 metric tons of CO2,” says RockAuto.com Vice President, Tom Taylor. The average car on the road is about 11 years old. EPA data shows that vehicles (cars and trucks) built in 2005, on average, emit 447 grams of CO2 per mile. A 2016 vehicle is expected to generate about 90 grams less than that every mile. Producing less CO2 is good, but it would take more than 150,000 miles of driving for that 90 grams in CO2 savings to add up and compensate for the 14,000 kg (14 metric tons of CO2) it took to build the new car. Especially for someone who does not drive a lot, it could be greener to just keep a well maintained older vehicle than to build a new one.
How much do you save with an electric car? Electric cars do not have tailpipes, but an electric car is still on the hook for “upstream CO2” emitted by the utility which provides the electricity for the car. The EPA estimates upstream CO2 is around 100 grams per mile for most electric vehicles. That is a whopping 347 grams less than what is produced by the average vehicle built in 2005, but it would still
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take over 40,000 miles of driving before the electric car saved enough CO2 to cover the greenhouse gas cost of building it in the first place.
The environmental cost of servicing older cars What about the CO2 equivalent discharged while making parts to fix an older car? Brake pads, struts, tires and other parts wear out as the miles pile up. Fortunately, unless the vehicle is involved in an accident, the structure that makes up most of a car will never need to be replaced. Many smaller parts like alternators and major parts like engines and transmissions can be remanufactured. Remanufacturing means only the components that experience wear are replaced. Metal housings and other major pieces can be cleaned, refinished and reused. “Remanufacturing saves more than 80 percent of the energy and raw materials required to build a new part from scratch,” Taylor says. Less energy and materials means less CO2. Car manufacturers are using more recycled materials and updating factories to use less energy. Government mandates require future vehicles become increasingly more fuel efficient. “Upstream CO2” may decline as utility companies find new, greener ways to generate electricity. Nevertheless, keeping your current car well maintained or buying a more fuel efficient used car are currently great choices if you want to be green.
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ou’ve probably heard the chatter around how a handful of unusual foods are must-eat nutritional powerhouses - and wondered how you’ll ever get your kids to try kale or chia seeds. But you don’t have to stress over how to incorporate the latest health food fads into your family’s diet in order to get powerful nutrition. The truth is, those headline-grabbers aren’t the only nutritional powerhouses. Most vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals, so quit worrying about how to pronounce acai or where to find seaweed in the supermarket. Instead, improve your family’s diet and save some money by growing nutrition-packed vegetables right in your own backyard. Keep these tips in mind: Growing squash is easier than finding chia seeds Many vegetables are easy to grow in any home environment, whether it’s a large garden plot or pots on your patio. Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, arugula and kale are full of nutrients and simple to grow, even for beginners. Transplants, like those offered by Bonnie Plants, make it even easier by helping you bypass the work of starting from seed. Plus, you’ll harvest six weeks sooner. Healthy benefits go far beyond nutrition Growing your own vegetables and herbs means you’ll always
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have a fresh supply of nutrient-rich food at home. But gardening also delivers healthful exercise, time in the fresh air, and it’s a relaxing and satisfying activity. Gardens are good for Mother Nature The more food you grow at home, the fewer natural resources will be needed to grow veggies in far off places and ship them to your local supermarket. Your garden is also a great opportunity to recycle household food waste as compost. Plus, when you choose Bonnie Plants in biodegradable pots, you’re saving millions of pounds of plastic from landfills. The pots decompose, add nutrients to the soil and help prevent transplant shock. Gardening could get your kids excited about veggies When kids participate in gardening, they take ownership of the plants they help grow. And with their hands in the dirt, they’re not on their cellphones or playing video games. Kids who grow veggies are much more likely to eat them, and make gardening an ongoing, healthy habit. Save money at the supermarket Growing your own food means you’ll spend much less money in the produce aisle. Plus, you can grow a wide variety of vegetables and herbs, even expensive, restaurant-style “foodie” greens you may not have tried otherwise.
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Vegetable planting guide Spring basil, beans, beets, carrots, chives, cilantro, corn, cucumber, dill, egg plant, green bunching onions, lettuce, onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, peppers, radish, spinach, strawberries, squash, sunflower, swiss chard, tomatoes, thyme.
Summer beans, chives, corn, cucumber, egg plant, green bunching onions, hot peppers, parley, pumpkin (mini), radish, squash, sweet peppers, swiss chard, tomatoes, thyme, watermelon (baby fruiting).
Fall artichoke, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chives, cilantro, collards, dill, endive, fava beans, garlic, kale, lettuce, onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, radish, swiss chard, thyme.
Winter artichoke, beets, blueberries, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chives, cilantro, collards, dill, fava beans, garlic, kale, lettuce, onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, radish, spinach, swiss chard. This is only a guide. Planting may vary by climate. For more information visit www.garden.org/zipzone to learn more about your climate
The plant pros at Bonnie recommend these nutrient powerhouses to jumpstart your garden:
pene - an important phytonutrient thought to help fight various cancers and lower cholesterol.
Strawberries Just one cup of berries contains three grams of fiber and more than a full day’s recommended allowance of vitamin C. Phenols are potent antioxidants that work to protect the heart, fight cancer, block inflammation, and they give strawberries their red color.
Spinach Spinach contains more than a dozen phytonutrients, and twice the daily recommended allowance of vitamin K. These nutrients contribute to cardiovascular and colon health, better brain function, eyesight and increased energy.
Sweet potatoes Alpha and beta carotene give sweet potatoes their bright orange color, and your body converts these compounds into vitamin A, which is good for your eyes, bones and immune system. A half cup of sweet potato provides nearly four times the daily recommended allowance of vitamin A, plus vitamins C, B6, potassium and manganese. Broccoli This green nutritional giant delivers vitamins C, A and K (associated with bone health), folate and sulforaphane that helps stimulate the body’s detoxifying enzymes. Tomatoes Tomatoes provide vitamins A, C and B, potassium and lyco-
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Kale Kale contains vitamins A, C and K. A cup of cooked kale gives you more than 1,000 percent of the daily value for vitamin K. It’s also high in manganese, which promotes bone density. Cauliflower Low in calories and carbohydrates, cauliflower is packed with a long list of nutrients, including phytonutrients. They say cauliflower is the new kale! For more information on growing nutritional powerhouse vegetables, visit www.bonnieplants.com. Bonnie Plants is the largest producer and supplier of vegetable and herb plants in North America. You’ll find their plants at Home Depot, Walmart, Lowes and 4,700 independent garden retailers.
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ummer is the season for good times and the open road, but unfortunately it is often accompanied by a trail of fast-food wrappers and carbon emissions. To design a healthy road trip that ditches the carbon footprint, take these steps to make your getaway a green one.
What to eat When hunger strikes, don’t assume fast food is the only option. Start your trip with a cooler of fresh fruits and vegetables and a stash of your favorite cereals and crackers; that way, you’ll be less inclined to pull over for french fries between meals. Along the way, research nearby farmers’ markets and locally provisioned restaurants (find them at localharvest.org) where you can stop to dine and to replenish your supplies. Bring your own utensils, dishes and food containers to save the resources and energy required to produce disposables and to reduce waste. Handkerchiefs make great reusable napkins for the car.
How to get there Rent a hybrid or biodiesel car — your mileage will soar and your fuel costs and carbon emissions will shrink. No matter what you drive, regularly check your tires to make sure they article continues on page 20 >>
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<< article continues from page 19 are properly inflated, which can improve your fuel economy by 3.3 percent. Try forgetting the car altogether. Bikes, buses and trains can get you almost anywhere. See railstotrails.org and Simple Steps’ Car-Free Getaways for some ideas for a car-free trip.
Where to stay Camping out is the greenest option; it also gives you the opportunity to teach your children about the outdoors and to explore our country’s most protected green spaces. Local, state and national parks offer campsites as well as backcountry camping. Some of the most popular spots can be fully booked weeks ahead of time, and some parks permit only a very limited number of campers in order to preserve the natural surroundings. So reserve space early via recreation.gov and reserveamerica.com. Green hotels are no longer limited to expensive, remote ecolodges. Use istaygreen.org to find green hotels all over the world. Or when choosing hotels, ask about their recycling and water-saving cleaning programs.
phone and electronics, which you can place on the dash of the car as you go. Also consider LED roadside flares (www.niteize.com). There is even an eco-friendly nationwide auto club for roadside aid. The Better World Club assists both cars and bicycles and can provide eco-travel tips and discounts on hybrid rentals. The group donates one percent of its annual revenue to environmental cleanup and advocacy.
For outdoor protection When it comes to sunscreen, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the least harmful to the environment and to your health, because they consist of minerals that block the sun from reaching your skin, rather than chemicals that absorb UV rays. But if you’re opposed to a lifeguard’s nose, try less-toxic sunscreen brands like Avalon Organics and Burt’s Bees. Insects may be pesky, but DEET is much worse. Unless you’re traveling to a place where insect-borne diseases are a serious threat, choose DEET alternatives based on essential oils or least-toxic chemicals such as picaridin. Some products include USDA Organic Badger Anti-Bug Balm and other herbal repellents; the CDC recommends oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Emergency essentials Maximize your battery use by bringing along a solar-powered charger (you can find them at www.solio.com) for your cell
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W
iping away the grime of winter doesn’t have to mean launching an attack with dangerous chemicals. As you tackle this year’s spring cleaning chores, take a note from Mother Nature and rely on the cleaning power of a surprisingly effective natural product: vinegar. During the last century, vinegar has become increasingly recognized as a low cost and eco-friendly household product. From cooking and canning, to cleaning items indoors and out, homeowners are discovering that this ecofriendly, acetic liquid is as versatile as it is useful. “Cleaning with vinegar has always been an effective way to banish dirt and grime in kitchens, bathrooms, the garage and the outdoors,” said Mike Smith, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Mizkan Americas, the makers of Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar. Despite its strong cleaning power, vinegar does have one downfall: its distinctive odor. You can experiment with dozens of DIY recipes online to overcome this dilemma, or you can rely on a store-bought non-toxic cleaning vinegar such as Four Monks, which is made from a proprietary process that reduces the strong aroma and leaves a clean, crisp scent. Learn how vinegar can make it easier to tackle common tasks around the house with these hacks and discover more uses for cleaning vinegar at www.vinegartips.com.
In the kitchen Clean off the blades of a well-worn can opener with an old toothbrush soaked with vinegar to help remove dirt and grease. Clean your ice/water dispenser by running vinegar through the system. Flush the vinegar out by running water through the system for 30-60 seconds.
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“Forgot that you left wet laundry in the machine and it now smells moldy? Pour a few cups of vinegar into the machine and wash the clothes in hot water.” << article continues from page 21 Rid your dishwasher of mineral buildup by pouring half a cup of vinegar into the reservoir and running an empty cycle. You can also use vinegar in the dishwasher instead of another glass cleaner to keep your glassware sparkling. Renew sponges and dishrags by placing them in just enough water to cover them. Then add one-fourth cup of vinegar and let them soak overnight. Remove dark stains on an aluminum pot by boiling two cups of vinegar. For stained and smelly plastic food containers and lunchboxes, wipe them with a cloth dampened with vinegar. To clean a grease-splattered oven door window, saturate it with vinegar. Keep the door open for 10-15 minutes before wiping with a sponge. Deodorize the garbage disposal by pouring in half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar. Let sit for five minutes then run hot water down the disposal. Avoid using toxic chemicals where you store food; wipe up spills in the fridge with vinegar.
In the bathroom Rid a faucet of lime deposits by tying a plastic bag containing one-third to one-half cup of vinegar around it and leaving it there for two or three hours. Wipe down with a sponge and
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scrub any remaining deposits with an old toothbrush. The same approach can be used to remove buildup on a showerhead. The fizzing combo of vinegar and baking soda can unclog and remove odor from a tub drain. Pour half a cup of baking soda in the drain, then follow with two cups of hot vinegar. Immediately plug the drain with a rag to keep the bubbles contained for 10 minutes. Rinse by pouring a kettle of boiling hot water down the drain. Spray shower doors with vinegar after you’ve squeegeed the glass - or before you turn on the water - to help release hard water deposits. Clean shower door tracks by filling them with vinegar and letting it sit for a few hours. Pour hot water into the tracks and scrub away any remaining film with a toothbrush. To make the toilet bowl sparkle, pour in a cup or more of vinegar and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Scrub well with the toilet brush and flush. Remove old bathtub decals with vinegar heated in the microwave.
In the laundry room Remove coffee and tea stains by flushing the area with vinegar, rinsing and repeating. For wine stains, saturate the spot with vinegar and allow it to stand for several minutes. Then, wash as normal. Tip: For more delicate fabrics or precaution, test on an inconspicuous part of the garment first.
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Restore yellowed clothing by soaking garments overnight in a solution of 12 parts warm water and one part vinegar. Wash them the following morning. Soak new garments in a few cups of vinegar for 10-15 minutes before washing to stop dyes from running in the wash. If frequent ironing has left your iron plate dirty, make a paste from one part vinegar and one part salt to scrub it clean. Remove scorch marks from an iron by rubbing it with a warm solution of equal parts vinegar and salt. If that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work, use a cloth dampened with vinegar. Forgot that you left wet laundry in the machine and it now smells moldy? Pour a few cups of vinegar in the machine and wash the clothes in hot water. Then run a normal cycle with detergent to rinse the clothes. Prevent lint from clinging to clothes by adding half a cup of vinegar to the wash cycle.
What is vinegar? Vinegar is the acetic liquid that results when a product containing sugar is allowed to ferment. Vinegar can be created from nearly any product containing sugar; fruit and grains, such as barley and corn, are common sources of vinegar. The ingredients in vinegar depend on the type of vinegar produced. For example, Four Monks uses distilled vinegar processed from corn, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safe for your family. All vinegars are diluted with water to the preferred acidity before bottling. Four Monks has six percent acidity, which is 20 percent stronger than traditional vinegar, but gentle on everyday surfaces. This acetic quality is what enables vinegar to effectively clean while being safe for the body and the environment.
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Bring your own bag P
aper or plastic? Tired of throwing away bag after bag? Well then why don’t you try a reusable bag?! It’s what people were doing for centuries prior to the adoption of the plastic bag in the 1970s, so why not go throwback and bring your own?
Benefits for the environment Paper bags take up more space in the landfill and remove more trees from the planet, adding to deforestation problems. Plastic bags expend greater energy in their production and are derived from oil, i.e. they are a petroleum product. Biodegradable bags combine the worst of these two and can only be “composted” in industrial facilities. Reusable bags can come from responsible sources, significantly reducing both waste and energy required for production. Plus, they can be fun!
Benefits If you’re lucky, your grocery store will give you a small token of compensation (typically five cents). Cities like Palm Springs,
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Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City and Indio have plastic bag taxes, so you will save yourself that expense. For the community this means a decrease in the number of bags distributed reduces the chances for them to go airborne and litter the city or end up in our waters, where they potentially kill wildlife. The cleaner the city, the less tax dollars need to be used to clean it up!
Cost is low You can find reusable bags for less than five dollars. Some places offer bags at a discounted rate when you buy larger quantities, which will lead you to keep different bags for different items (i.e. food, clothing, etc.). The trick here is to actually reuse your bags so you don’t have to keep buying new ones. You should clean you bags regularly if you use them for food items.
Time and effort: medium This will require some getting used to for sure. But with a little
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patience and effort, you can make the switch and soon enough, you won’t even think twice. You can always keep some bags in your purse, in your car, or on your bike so that you don’t have to always remember and be able to shop on the fly.
Materials If you’re switching from single-use bags to reusable bags because you’re annoyed by the petroleum intake or other harmful environmental impacts, then it’s important not to buy a reusable bag made from the same petroleum sources with the same harmful impacts. These materials are good options for ensuring that your reusable bag is manufactured in a responsible way. Hemp: The cultivation of hemp is known for its sustainability. It grows well with little water and without herbicides or pesticides. If you are in need of a sturdy and durable bag, hemp may prove to be your material of choice. Hemp fiber is eight times stronger than cotton fiber, so it stretches less and is more durable. It is also hypoallergenic, mold-resistant, and UV ray resistant. Organic cotton: Conventional cotton farming ranks second in pesticide use among all crops and uses 25% of the world’s insecticides. The farming of organic cotton eliminates the use of these harmful chemicals, but the cultivation of cotton is still very water intensive. That said, cotton bags are quite versatile. From string bags to canvas bags, you have your variety of
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choices depending on what you are looking for. While hemp is probably your best bet for durability, organic cotton is your best option for a lightweight bag. Recycled PET: This fabric is made from post-consumer plastic bottles and containers, helping redirect waste away from landfills. It is a good alternative to nylon and is a bit sturdier, making a more durable bag. Recycled cotton: The cotton comes from the scraps acquired during the processes of spinning, weaving, and cutting cotton. As much as 40% of cultivated cotton goes to waste between the harvesting of the crop and the manufacturing of apparel. Instead of ending up in landfills, these scraps are being recycled and put to use. These bags are both lightweight and sturdy. While there are bags made from other materials, these are the most eco-friendly materials. Bamboo is another option, but it comes with its own controversy. Nonetheless, it is a better option than using new plastic bags and throwing them away with each use. When opting for bags made from recycled materials, be sure to check the percentage of recycled material used. Also remember to look for fair trade and fair labor goods. article continues on page 26 >>
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The plastic bag truth
I Plastic bags take anywhere from 15 to 1,000 years to decompose << article continues from page 25
Types of bags Reusable bags are all over the place as free giveaways. Visit farmers markets, tabling events, or just ask a staff person at the next store you go to. While these aren’t always the most sturdy, their price is appealing, and they carry the groceries home. Small: Chico Bags are great if you are concerned over the bulk of the bags. They are lightweight and can be smushed together in a nice little ball to fit in a purse. Plus, they can be quite trendy! Resourceful: Perhaps one of your roommates hasn’t yet joined the reusable bag revolution, and still comes home with paper and plastic bags. Well in true repurposing spirit, these often make great reusable bags as well! Designer: If you’d like to make a statement or just look like you’re on the uppity up, then maybe a designer bag is for you. With the significant increase in demand for reusable bags, many artists are trying to stake a claim on the bag market. Backpack approach: This is perhaps my most preferred — it’s just a simple backpack. Granted, it limits the amount of stuff you can buy, but for those short trips, this is perfect. Just remember to take out all of your papers beforehand. DIY: Do you have extra t-shirts lying around? Or some extra cloth? Customize your bag by making it yourself. You can create small bags perfect for veggies, larger bags for general grocers, etc.
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Remember your bag This is easily the biggest hindrance to using reusable bags — it’s just not the highest priority in life. But there are a few tricks you can use to integrate it into your daily shopping routine. 1. Keep a stash in a memorable place. Whether it’s your car, below the kitchen sink, next to the car keys, wherever, just define a place and stick with it (unless you find a better place, then switch and stick with that one). 2. Use visual cues to help you remember— both to bring your bags from your house to your car, and to bring the bags from the car to the store. Write a note where you typically keep your keys or by the front door. In the car, write a note on the dashboard. If you bike, then this is easy—you most likely will already have the bags on you. 3. Alternatively, you can just put the bags in your purse or place your grocery or shopping list in your bags so you will have to remember.
Wash your bag Just because you’re being “green,” doesn’t mean you have to be dirty. Wash your bags once a week or whenever they just give you a squeamish feeling. Some bags can be thrown in with the laundry, while others will have to be washed by hand.
Tell a friend Let’s be honest. You switching to reusable bags is not going to change the world. But if you can convince your friends, and they can convince their friends, then we’re talking. You don’t have to patronize, but just being optimistic and high spirited about using the bags sends subtle signals that it’s easy for them to use them too.
f you’ve made the switch to reusable grocery bags, then applaud yourself for being environmentally aware. But if you’re still using plastic bags, read the facts below and consider making the switch. • Plastic bags take anywhere from 15 to 1,000 years to decompose. • Only one percent of plastic bags are recycled in the United States. The rest end up in landfills, the ocean, or some other place in the environment. There’s actually a giant garbage heap made mostly of plastic floating in the ocean that’s twice the size of the United States. • It’s estimated that one million birds and thousands of turtles and other sea animals die each year after ingesting discarded plastic bags. • More than 10 percent of washed-up debris polluting the U.S. coastline is made up of plastic bags. • It takes 12 million barrels of oil to produce the estimated 100 billion plastic bags Americans use each year. • The petroleum used to produce 14 plastic bags can drive a car one mile. For more information about plastic bags visit www.bagtheban.com.
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Composting at home C
ompost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste currently make up 20 to 30 percent of what we throw away, and should be composted instead. Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
All composting requires three basic ingredients: • Browns - This includes materials such as dead leaves, branches, and twigs.
Your compost pile should have an equal amount of browns to greens. You should also alternate layers of organic materials of different-sized particles. The brown materials provide carbon for your compost, the green materials provide nitrogen, and the water provides moisture to help break down the organic matter.
Benefits of composting • Enriches soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests. • Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
• Greens - This includes materials such as grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds. • Water - Having the right amount of water, greens, and browns is important for compost development.
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• Encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material.
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• Reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint.
How to compost at home There are many different ways to make a compost pile; we have provided the following for general reference. Helpful tools include pitchforks, square-point shovels or machetes, and water hoses with a spray head. Regular mixing or turning of the compost and some water will help maintain the compost.
Backyard composting • Select a dry, shady spot near a water source for your compost pile or bin. • Add brown and green materials as they are collected, making sure larger pieces are chopped or shredded. • Moisten dry materials as they are added. • Once your compost pile is established, mix grass clippings and green waste into the pile and bury fruit and vegetable waste under 10 inches of compost material. • Optional: Cover top of compost with a tarp to keep it moist. When the material at the bottom is dark and rich in color, your compost is ready to use. This usually takes anywhere between two months to two years.
Indoor composting If you do not have space for an outdoor compost pile, you can compost materials indoors using a special type of bin, which you can buy at a local hardware store, gardening supplies store, or make yourself. Remember to tend your pile and keep track of what you throw in. A properly managed compost bin will not attract pests or rodents and will not smell bad. Your compost should be ready in two to five weeks.
What to compost • Fruits and vegetables • Eggshells • Coffee grounds and filters • Tea bags article continues on page 30 >>
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“Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.” << article continues from page 29
• Coal or charcoal ash: Might contain substances harmful to plants.
• Nut shells • Shredded newspaper • Cardboard • Paper • Yard trimmings • Grass clippings • Houseplants • Hay and straw • Leaves • Sawdust • Wood chips • Cotton and Wool Rags • Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint • Hair and fur • Fireplace ashes
What not to compost and why • Black walnut tree leaves or twigs: Releases substances that might be harmful to plants.
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• Dairy products (e.g., butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt) and eggs: Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies. • Diseased or insect-ridden plants: Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants. • Fats, grease, lard, or oils: Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies. • Meat or fish bones and scraps: Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies. • Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter): Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans. • Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides: Might kill beneficial composting organisms, check with your local composting or recycling coordinator to see if these organics are accepted by your community curbside or drop-off composting program.
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Give your home a breath of fresh air with these energy efficient tips
T
he seasons are changing, and that means tackling home improvement projects you’ve been putting off all winter long. As you plan for these projects over the warmer months, include steps to improve your family’s home environment, both inside and outside. Your house will be a better, more comfortable place to live.
Conserve water Help preserve this precious resource by replacing any leaky indoor faucets in your kitchen, laundry and bathroom. Also, think about replacing your showerhead with a low-flow model. Outdoors, check the watering hose faucet for leaks and replace it if needed. And when mowing the lawn, epa.gov recommends setting the blades two to three inches high because the longer grass shades the soil, improving moisture retention and helping the grass survive drought and tolerate insect damage.
draperies and shades, or install them in rooms that don’t already have them. Outside, create some natural shade near the windows by planting a tree, tall bushes or adding awnings on the sunniest side of the house.
Control indoor temperatures Ensure a more comfortable home environment by adding a programmable HVAC control. Trane’s programmable smart controls are easy to use and, when paired with the Nexia smart home system, let you remotely monitor and control indoor temperatures, so you can adjust your system to be more efficient based on your family’s schedule.
Reduce indoor pollutants Improve your home’s indoor air quality. EPA studies indicate indoor air may be 25 times, and occasionally more than 100 times, more polluted than outdoor air. A whole-house air cleaner, such as Trane CleanEffects, can remove up to 99.98 percent of airborne particles and allergens from the filtered air, such as dust, pollen, bacteria, pet dander, mold spores and smoke.
Seal air leaks Keep cool air in and hot air out by sealing leaks and adding insulation. Areas to check for repairs include the attic, garage and unfinished basement. Throughout the house, ensure that all cooling and heating vents and registers meet the floors, walls and ceilings and are well sealed.
Keep cool more efficiently Upgrading your cooling system to a more efficient one can save home energy consumption, helping to save you money. For example, a TruComfort Variable Speed Air Conditioner is one of the industry’s most efficient systems, delivering precise cooling by running at the exact speed needed to keep a home constantly comfortable. This allows the compressor, outdoor fan and indoor fan to vary operating speed as the temperature outside changes, slowing down or speeding up in small increments rather than turning completely off and on.
Shield windows from the hot sun Seasonal heat comes indoors from windows, too, so close
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A
s the sun warms the soil, we are beckoned to venture outside and soak up the heat. Flowers blossom, fruits ripen, animals raise their newly born young, and the weather is just right for going out on a hike to enjoy the wildlife. Along with our adventures outdoors, bug populations are growing too. Mosquitos and midges abound, ready for a taste of our blood. When bugs do bite, the conventional treatment is to apply a steroid cream to reduce itching, but some people may experience severe side effects with regular steroid use. Before you reach for the closest tube of steroid cream, consider some of these gentle, natural and simple home remedies for bug bites. Many of these remedies can be created with things already in your home, and some would serve well as regular residents in your kitchen medicine cabinet.
Oatmeal Oatmeal is an effective and gentle way to reduce inflammation and itching from bug bites on your skin. An easy and soothing way to receive the benefits of oatmeal is to take an oatmeal bath. Grind one cup of oats into a fine powder, using a coffee grinder, blender, or food processor. Draw a warm bath and simply add your cup of ground oats into the bath under the faucet. You can also add milk, lavendar buds, or essential oils to increase the anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties of your bath. You can also make a simple oatmeal paste for spot treatment. Mix ground oatmeal with a bit of cool water to form a paste and apply to the skin. Allow the oatmeal to dry slowly and remove once it is completely dry.
Essential oils Many essential oils can provide relief to burning, itching bug bites on your skin. Lavender is most popularly used, while rose,
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chamomile, and tea tree oils are also effective. You can apply diluted essential oils directly to the affected area, make a spot soother, or add them to an oatmeal bath. If you do not have oatmeal, just adding essential oils to a warm water bath will work. To make a spot soother, add one drop of the essential oil of your choice into a bowl of cold water. Dip a wash cloth or cotton pad into the water to soak up the essential oil mix. Squeeze gently to remove excess water, and apply to the itchy area. Hold it in place with your hand or cover it in plastic wrap for about an hour. To apply directly, dilute a two-three drops of essential oil into two-three tablespoons of olive oil.
Quick fix baking soda paste Baking soda is in abundant and cheap supply, making it an easy and quick fix for a bug itch. Mix 1/4 teaspoon baking soda with cold water to make a paste. Apply to the affected area and repeat as necessary.
Plantain leaf You may not have heard much about plantain, but it is a common weed growing in driveways, lawns, parks, and playgrounds. It has been used for centuries in native folk medicine for minor cuts, bruises, and bug bites. All you need to do is pick a fresh leaf of plantain, chew it up well to release the juices inside, and place it onto the affected area. This is known as a fresh leaf poultice â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it helps relieve pain, reduce swelling, and increases the healing process.
Aloe vera Most well known for soothing painful sunburns, aloe vera is also effective in reducing itching and swelling. You can use fresh aloe vera or buy a gel. For fresh aloe vera, gently peel away the outer skin. Mash up the inner gel or simply rub it onto the itchy area. You can also mix in 10-20 drops of essential oil into two tablespoons of aloe vera gel for an extra soothing rub.
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